External controller for emergency devices

Abstract

An external controller (1) for emergency devices for opening doors to passages to access and exit an environment, the devices comprising actuation means for respective latches associated with a face of the door directed toward the inside of the installation environment and a cylinder lock (6) operatively associated with the actuation means and with the latches. The controller (1) comprises: at least one actuator (2) provided with a fixed grip portion (3) for a user, at least partially protruding from an external face of the installation door, the actuator (2) being configured to produce the retraction of at least one of the latches upon the movement by a user of the key (6a) in the cylinder lock (6); at least one gear system (4), interposed between a pivoting shaft (5) of the grip portion (3) and the cylinder lock (6), which defines a specific mechanical reduction ratio between the moment necessary for the retraction of the at least one latch and the moment applied by the user on the key (6a) in order to impose such retraction.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an external controller for emergency devices.

[0002] In the background art, in doors in which emergency door handles or panic bars are to be installed, an external access apparatus is installed (by mounting it externally thereto or flush therewith) on the face arranged opposite to the face on which the emergency components are mounted.

[0003] Conventional apparatuses comprise a cylinder lock (operable using a corresponding coded key) through which it is possible to actuate the retraction of the spring latch and of the sliding latch (or other type of latch).

[0004] Technical solutions are known which involve the presence of a handle, controlled by the cylinder lock, with which it is generally possible to control the retraction of the spring latch.

[0005] It should furthermore be noted that in many installations, handles are not adopted on the external face of emergency doors, and instead fixed knobs or other grip elements are used in order to facilitate the opening of the door after having actuated the retraction of the latches (spring latch, sliding latch or the like) through a rotation of the coded key in the cylinder lock.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, by providing an external controller for emergency devices that can ensure an effective actuation of the latches (for example spring latch or sliding latch) from the external side of a door comprising an emergency opening device such as a panic handle and / or a panic bar.

[0007] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide an external controller for emergency devices that has a simple structure.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide an external controller for emergency devices that can be actuated by applying low mechanical loads.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide an external controller for emergency devices that is constituted by simple components.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide an external controller for emergency devices that is constituted by components that are easily sourced and provided.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide an external controller for emergency devices that can be actuated using a component such as a door pull, a knob, a lever and the like.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an external controller for emergency devices which is of low cost, easily and practically implemented, and safe in use.

[0013] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an external controller for emergency devices for opening doors to passages to access and exit an environment, said devices comprising actuation means for respective latches associated with a face of the door directed toward the inside of the installation environment and a cylinder lock operatively associated with said actuation means and with said latches, characterized in that it comprises: at least one actuator provided with a fixed grip portion for a user, at least partially protruding from an external face of the installation door, said actuator being configured to control the retraction of at least one of the said latches upon the movement by a user of the key inside the cylinder lock; at least one gear system, interposed between a pivoting shaft of said grip portion and said cylinder lock, which defines a specific mechanical reduction ratio between the moment necessary for the retraction of the at least one latch and the moment applied by the user on the key in order to impose such retraction.

[0014] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the external controller for emergency devices, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an external controller for emergency devices according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic front elevation view of the controller of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the controller of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an exploded schematic perspective view of the controller of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the internal part of the controller of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a partially transparent schematic side view of the controller of Figure 1.

[0015] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates an external controller for emergency devices.

[0016] Emergency devices for doors to passages to access and exit an environment generally comprise actuation means (for example handles or sliding bars) for respective latches. The actuation means are associated with a face of the door that is directed toward the inside of the installation environment (for example they are installed externally to the door or are mounted flush with it / inside it), so as to ensure that, in the event of an emergency evacuation, it is sufficient to apply a pressure on the door in the direction of its outward opening in order to exit the environment.

[0017] Normally, conventional emergency devices are also paired with a cylinder lock, which is operatively associated with the actuation means and with the latches, in order to allow the latches to be moved from their position locking the door in the closed configuration, in which the latches are protruding from the door, to a configuration in which the door is free to be opened and the latches are retracted.

[0018] The controller 1 comprises at least one actuator 2 which is provided with a fixed grip portion 3 for a user, which will be at least partially protruding from the external face of the installation door.

[0019] The actuator 2 is configured to produce the retraction of at least one of the latches upon the movement by a user of the key 6a in the lock 6.

[0020] The controller has at least one gear system 4, interposed between a pivoting shaft 5 of the grip portion 3 and the cylinder lock 6 (operable using a corresponding coded key 6a).

[0021] The gear system 4 defines a specific mechanical reduction ratio between the moment necessary for the retraction of the at least one latch and the moment applied by the user on the key 6a in order to impose such retraction of the latch.

[0022] It should be noted that the cylinder lock comprises a stator (which comprises a substantially cylindrical part from which a radial expansion protruded) which accommodates a rotor (in the substantially cylindrical part) and encoding means (at least in the radial expansion). The rotor is rigidly coupled to the bit, which is constituted by a protrusion and protrudes radially with respect to a rotating shaft, and which, by coming into contact with the means for movement of the latches (for example the spring latch, the sliding latch, the shootbolts and the like) enables the relative movement.

[0023] The actuator 2 advantageously comprises a box-like body 7 configured for the accommodation of at least one mask 8 provided with units 9, 10, 11, and 12 which are configured for the pivoting of the grip portion 3 (in particular of the associated shaft 5) and of the components of the gear system 4.

[0024] The box-like body 7 further comprises at least one seat for the cylinder lock 6.

[0025] The mask 8 is also conveniently provided with a through opening 13 which is configured for the accommodation of a part of the lock 6.

[0026] With reference to an embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, this gear system 4 can profitably be a gear train: that is to say, it is a system of gear wheels that mesh together, so that upon moving a first wheel, a very precise movement is transmitted to another gear wheel that meshes with the first; in particular it will be what is known as an ordinary gear train, in that the axes of rotation of the gear wheels will be fixed on the mask 8 (in particular at the units 9, 10, 11 and 12).

[0027] In particular, the gear system 4 advantageously comprises at least two gear wheels 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.

[0028] In such configuration, at least one first gear wheel 14 is positively integral with the pivoting shaft 5 of the grip portion 3, at least one second gear wheel 18 is usefully integral with an appendage 19 (meshing with a toothed sector 18 which is integral with that appendage 19) for coupling to the bit of the cylinder lock 6.

[0029] It can be seen therefore that, following a rotation of the wheels 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 which make up the gear system 4 (constituted as an ordinary gear train), a retraction of the latches is produced. Such retraction can therefore be easily produced through a rotation of the key 6a in the rotor (moveable element) of the cylinder lock 6, owing to the mechanical reduction of the necessary moment which is ensured by the presence of the wheels 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18.

[0030] The function of the gear system 4 is to reduce the force to be applied to the key 6a to generate a sufficient torque to produce the retraction of at least one of the latches of the installation door. The reduction ratio ensured by the gear system 4 is generally lower than 1:1, although it is specified that preferably it is lower than 3:4, more preferably lower than 2:3, more preferably lower than 1:2, even more preferably in the order of 1:3.

[0031] Basically, in a preferred but not exclusive solution, by virtue of the presence of the gear system 4 the torque necessary in order to produce a retraction of the at least one latch will be reduced to a third of what would be necessary in absence of the gear system 4, to the advantage of operative convenience by the users of the controller 1, who will need to apply a force three times lower on the key 6a.

[0032] It should be noted that the gear system 4 can be any type of gear train, constituted by any number of gear wheels 14, 15, 16, 17, 18; it should be noted that the gear wheels 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 can be at least three in number, preferably at least four in number.

[0033] The grip portion 3 is of type selected among a knob, a door pull, a "pad", a lever and a handle.

[0034] The controller 1 further comprises a facing centering plate 20, proximate to and parallel to the mask 8.

[0035] Such plate 20 is provided with projections for rotatable coupling with at least one component selected from the shaft 5 of the grip portion 3 and the gear wheels 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.

[0036] In this manner each gear wheel 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 will be centered and pivoted stably between the units 9, 10, 11 and 12 and the projections for rotatable coupling of the plate 20.

[0037] From an implementation point of view, it should be noted that the appendage 19 for coupling to the bit of the cylinder lock 6 comprises an annular lip 21 which substantially protrudes with respect to the gear wheel 18 to which it is coupled.

[0038] Such lip 21 comprises an interruption 22, like a recess, the width of which is not less than the thickness of the bit, for the accommodation and confinement thereof.

[0039] More specifically the lip 21 can comprise, at the terminal fronts of the interruption 22, like a recess, radial projections 23 defining substantially flat surfaces 24 with radial progression, which are mutually facing and configured to abut against the bit.

[0040] At least one of the gear wheels 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 (with reference to the embodiment illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying figures, the wheel 15 and the wheel 16), comprises two respective toothings with different diameters, each one of these toothings meshes with a respective additional gear wheel (according to the example shown in the accompanying figures, the wheel 15 meshes with its toothing of smaller diameter on the wheel 14, while with its toothing of greater diameter it meshes with the toothing of smaller diameter of the wheel 16, in turn the toothing of greater diameter of the wheel 16 meshes with the wheels 17) of the gear system.

[0041] The presence of two wheels 17 to transfer motion from the toothing of greater diameter of the wheel 16 to the toothing 18 ensures a better transfer of the torque and a better balancing of the stresses applied to the appendage 19 (so as to prevent inclinations with respect to its ideal operating arrangement from resulting in malfunctions).

[0042] Advantageously the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, by providing an external controller 1 for emergency devices that can ensure an effective actuation of the latches (for example spring latch or sliding latch) from the external side of a door comprising an emergency opening device such as a panic handle and / or a panic bar.

[0043] Conveniently, the external controller 1 according to the invention has a simple structure, therefore resistant to faults and malfunctions.

[0044] Advantageously, the external controller 1 according to the invention can be actuated by applying low mechanical loads, rendering the operations to open the door from outside simpler.

[0045] Profitably the external controller 1 according to the invention is constituted by simple components which can easily be sourced on the market or made industrially, so ensuring an exceptional ease of production of the invention.

[0046] Usefully, the external controller 1 according to the invention is operable by means of a component such as a door pull, a knob, a lever, a pad and the like, and therefore is adapted to meet every specific design requirement.

[0047] Positively the external controller 1 according to the invention is easily and practically implemented and is of low cost: such characteristics make the controller 1 according to the invention an innovation that is safe in use. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0048] In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

[0049] In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0050] Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and / or signs, those reference numerals and / or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and / or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and / or signs.

Claims

1. An external controller for emergency devices for opening doors to passages to access and exit an environment, said devices comprising actuation means for respective latches associated with a face of the door directed toward the inside of the installation environment and a cylinder lock (6) operatively associated with said actuation means and with said latches, characterized in that it comprises - at least one actuator (2) provided with a fixed grip portion (3) for a user, at least partially protruding from an external face of the installation door, said actuator (2) being configured to produce the retraction of at least one of said latches upon the movement by a user of the key (6a) in the cylinder lock (6); - at least one gear system (4), interposed between a pivoting shaft (5) of said grip portion (3) and said cylinder lock (6), which defines a specific mechanical reduction ratio between the moment necessary for the retraction of the at least one latch and the moment applied by the user on the key (6a) in order to impose such retraction.

2. The controller according to claim 1, characterized in that said actuator comprises - a box-like body (7) configured for the accommodation of at least one mask (8) provided with units (9, 10, 11, 12) which are configured for the pivoting of said grip portion (3) and of the components of said gear system (4), - at least one seat (13) for said cylinder lock (6).

3. The controller according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said gear system (4) is a gear train comprising at least two gear wheels (14, 15, 16, 17, 18), at least one first gear wheel (14) being integral with a pivoting shaft (5) of said grip portion (3), at least one second gear wheel (18) being integral with an appendage (19) for coupling to said bit of said cylinder lock (6).

4. The controller according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said gear system (4) has a reduction ratio lower than 1:1, preferably lower than 3:4, more preferably lower than 2:3, more preferably lower than 1:2, even more preferably in the order of 1:3.

5. The controller according to claim 3, characterized in that said gear wheels (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) are at least three in number, preferably at least four in number.

6. The controller according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said grip portion (3) is of type selected from a knob, a door pull, a "pad", a lever and a handle.

7. The controller according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a facing centering plate (20), proximate to and parallel to said mask (8), said plate (20) being provided with projections for rotatable coupling with at least one component selected from said shaft (5) of said grip portion (3) and said gear wheels (14, 15, 16, 17, 18).

8. The controller according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said appendage (19) for coupling to said bit of said cylinder lock (6) comprises an annular lip (21) which substantially protrudes with respect to the gear wheel (18) to which it is coupled, said lip (21) comprising an interruption (22), like a recess, the width of which is not less than the thickness of said bit, for the accommodation and confinement thereof.

9. The controller according to claim 8, characterized in that said lip (21) comprises, at the terminal fronts of said interruption (22), like a recess, radial projections (23) defining mutually facing substantially flat surfaces (24) with radial progression, which are configured to abut against respective surfaces of said bit.

10. The controller according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said gear wheels (15, 16) comprises two respective toothings with different diameters, each one of said toothings meshing with a respective additional gear wheel (14, 15, 16, 17) of said gear system (4).

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